Evaluating Sea Grapes (Caulerpa Lentillifera) extract as a fertilizer

for Lettuce and Cabbage in a controlled hydroponic system

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Caulerpa lentillifera is a species of bryopsidale green algae from coastal regions in

the Indo-Pacific. This seaweed is one of the favored species of edible Caulerpa due to its soft and

succulent texture. They are also known as sea grapes or green caviar in English. Several health

benefits have been reported for Caulerpa lentillifera including diabetes and lipid lowering

properties. In the Philippines, C. lentillifera is usually known as latô or arosep. After being

washed in clean water, it is usually eaten raw as a salad (ensaladang lato), mixed with chopped

raw shallots and fresh tomatoes, and dressed with a blend of fish sauce or bagoong (fish paste)

and vinegar.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family, It is most often grown as a

leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. This plant was probably selectively bred by

the Egyptians into a plant grown for its edible leaves, with evidence of its cultivation appearing

as early as 2680 BC. In addition to its usual purpose as an edible leafy vegetable, lettuce has had

a number of uses in folk medicine and religious symbolism. Lettuce has mild narcotic properties

and it was called "sleepwort" by the Anglo-Saxons because of this attribute, although the

cultivated L. sativa has lower levels of the narcotic than its wild cousins. Lettuce is a good

source of fiber, iron, folate, and vitamin C. Lettuce is also a good source of various other health-
beneficial bioactive compounds. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown anti-inflammatory,

cholesterol-lowering, and anti-diabetic activities

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitate) is a high demand crop in the Philippines owing

to its common use in Filipino delicacy. Studies have also specified that cabbage has medicinal

properties such as antihistamineandisothiocyanates that can lower the risk of lung cancer from

smokers by as much as 38% (Nolte, 2008).

However cabbage takes too much space for us to accommodate in our small homes, being

a large leafy vegetable; it requires a high amount of nutrients such as boron that can deplete soil

resources and prone to bacterial attacks such as black rot, which is caused by excessive rainfall

(Delahaut and Newenhouse, 1997).

Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions with or without the

use of an artificial medium to contribute mechanical support. Hydroponics set-up takes up less

space compared to traditional planting which are exposed to natural phenomena that may

damage the plants, provides a constant and balanced amount of nutrients that the plant needs and

is grown in a more controlled and safe environment preventing bacterial infections. Furthermore,

hydroponic production increases crop quality and productivity, which results in the boost of

competitiveness and economic income. In recent years, hydroponic crop product has

significantly increased due to an income range of $329-1405 per year as pointed in a study by

Bradley and Marulanda (2000).

Nutrient solution, among factors affecting hydroponic production system/s, is considered

to be one of the most important determining factors of crop yield and quality. A nutrient solution

is a liquid solution containing mainly inorganic/organic ions for higher plants.

hydroponic production, not all of them are accessible and affordable; especially in our country.

Bladder wrack is quite common in our locality (frequently considered as weed) and according to

Frank Henequert (2010), in the plant market, it is applied as a soil conditioner, mineral supply

and bio stimulant. The use of biofertilizers is to increase the plant growth & development and it

is eco-friendly to the environment (ST Zodape, 2001).

Statement of the Problem

There are many cases of soil erosion up to this date. Also less control of nutrients in traditional

planting and commercial fertilizers are expensive and are not available and not accessible in

some places, like our locality, so I came up with this study to make sea grapes as an alternative

nutrient solution.This study will determine the effect of sea grapes extraction solution on the

circumference of the Cabbage(Brassica oleracea var. capitates) and Lettuce(Lactuca sativa) in a

controlled hydroponics system.

1. What are the nutrient contents of Sea grapes extract in terms of the N P K contents?

2. What are the nutrient contents of commercial nutrient solution in terms of the N P K contents?

3. What are the nutrient contents of sea grapes based commercial nutrient solution in terms of

N P K contents?
Statement of Hypothesis

Based on ongoing research problems, the researchers formulated the following

hypotheses:

Research Hypotheses:

1. There is a significant difference between the tap water grown Cabbage and Lettuce,

commercial nutrient solution grown Cabbage, commercial seaweed based nutrient

solution grown Cabbage and Sea grapes nutrient solution grown Cabbage and Lettuce in

terms of circumference.

Null Hypotheses:

1. There is no significant difference between the tap water grown cabbage, organic

nutrient solution grown cabbage, organic seaweed based nutrient solution grown Cabbage

and Sea grapes nutrient solution grown Cabbage and Lettuce in terms of mass gain.

Significance of the Study

This study focuses on finding an alternative nutrient solution for hydroponics that are

usually found in our locality like sea grapes, and will assist agriculturist, plant-enthusiasts,

farmers and gardeners with cost-effective nutrient solution, therefore, offers additional

business opportunities and increases their income. This study is also conducted to evaluate if

sea grapes can sustain plants like cabbage and lettuce in a Controlled Hydroponic System and
 also to make a modern agricultural system that is chemical-free, less hassle and saves a lot of

water and space compared to that of traditional farming. This study may also add on some

information in the field of hydroponics that can help future researchers about the use of

organic materials, especially the effects of sea grapes to the growth of Cabbage and Lettuce

regards to the field of Hydroponics.

Definition of Terms

Hydroponics

“Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions (water containing

fertilizers) with or without the use of an artificial medium (sand, gravel, vermiculite,

rockwool, perlite, peatmoss. coir, or sawdust) to provide mechanical support.” (Department of

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2011).

Substrate

The surface or material on or from which an organism lives, grows, or obtains its

nourishment .Provides support, good pore size that doesn’t clog the system.

Review of Related Literature

Use of Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers are fertilizers that are naturally produced and

contain carbon (C). Fertilizers are materials that can be added to soil or plants, in order to

animal waste including meat processing, manure, slurry, and guano, plant based fertilizers, such

as compost, and bio solids. There is also other abiotic non-chemical, fertilizer methods that meet

the Principles of Organic Agriculture, which determines whether a fertilizer can be used

for commercial organic agriculture.

What is Hydroponics?

Because of lack of planting areas, mind that most places are civilized, thus, buildings are

made which limits those who wants to grow their own fruit and vegetable garden. In addition,

conventional crop growing in soil (Open Field Agriculture) is difficult as it involves large space,

lot of labour and large volume of water. Another serious problem experienced since of late is the

difficulty to hire labour for conventional open field agriculture. An answer to this is a method in

planting called Hydroponics which means it is a planting method in which commonly defined as

planting without the presence of soil. Hydroponics or soil-less culture is a system of growing

plants which helps reduce some of the above mentioned problems experienced in conventional

crop cultivation soil is usually the most available growing medium and plants normally grow in

it. It provides anchorage, nutrients, air, water, etc. for successful plant growth. Modificationof a

soil an alternate growing medium tends to be expensive. However, soils do pose serious

limitations for plant growth, at times. Presence of disease causing organisms and nematodes,

unsuitable soil reaction, unfavorable soil compaction, poor drainage, degradation due to erosion,

etc. are some of them. Further, continuous cultivation of crops has resulted in poor soil fertility,

which in turn has reduced the opportunities for natural soil fertility build up by microbes. This
situation has led to poor yield and quality. Hydroponics or soil less culture offers a means of

control over soil-borne diseases and pests, which is especially desirable in the tropics where the

life cycles of these organisms continues uninterrupted and so does the threat of infestation. Thus

the costly and time consuming tasks of soil sterilization, soil amelioration, etc. can be avoided

with hydroponics system of cultivation. It offers a clean working environment and thus hiring

labour is easy. In 1929, Dr. William F. Gericke of the University of California succeeded in

growing tomato vines of 7.5 m height in nutrient solutions. He named this new production

system “hydroponics” a word derived from Greek to reflect the importance of ‘Hydros’ (water)

and ‘Ponos’ (working). Thus, hydroponics broke the laboratory bounds and entered the world of

practical horticulture. The term hydroponics originally meant nutrient solution culture. However,

crop growing in inert solid media using nutrient solution is also included in hydroponics in broad

sense (Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, 1904).

Nutrient Solution for Hydroponics

Plants require 17 essential elements for their growth and development. Without these

nutrients plants cannot complete their life cycles and their roles in plant growth cannot be

replaced by any other elements. These 17 essential elements are divided into macro elements

required in relatively large quantities) and micro or trace elements (required in considerably

small quantities).The macro elements are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), nitrogen (N),

phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S). The micro

elements are iron (Fe), chlorine (Cl), boron (B), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn),

molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni). All essential nutrients are supplied to hydroponics plants in

the form of nutrient solution, which consists of fertilizers salts dissolved in water. The
hydroponic grower must have a good knowledge of the plant nutrients,as management of plant

nutrition throughmanagement of nutrient solution is the key tosuccess in hydroponic gardening.

The hydroponic methods enable growers to control the availability of essential elements by

adjusting or changing the nutrient solution to suit the plant growth stage and to provide them in

balanced amounts. As the nutrients are present in ionic forms in the nutrient solution and also,

not needing to search or compete for available nutrients as they do in soil, hydroponic plants

reach maturity much sooner. Optimization of plant nutrition is easily achieved in hydroponics

than in soil(Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, 1904).

Sea Grapes (Caulerpa Lentillifera) Extract

Sea Grape Extract Growing in the nutrient rich oceans waters abundant in vitamins, peptides,

amino acids, omega-3 and antioxidants it is good to use as organic fertilizers because it has

Potassium, Protein. Even though it doesn’t have Nitrogen and Phosphorus it is still good to use

as organic fertilizer. Cualerpa lentillifera is high in mineral, vitamin A, C and several essentials

unsaturated fatty acids and also reported to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitate)

Cabbage is a popular vegetable throughout the world because of its adaptability to

a wide range of climatic conditions and soil, ease of production and storage, and its

food value (Sibongile, 2011) . Cabbage is a cool-season crop generally requiring 60 to 100 days

from sowing to reach market maturity, depending on the variety (Kemble, Zehnder, Sikora,

Patterson, 1999). Cabbage is the most easily grown vegetable of the Mustard family. It has

the optimum temperature of 15ºC to 18ºC. It is a cool - season crop that matures prior to

extreme heat. Cabbage is also high in beta - carotene, vitamin C and fiber. It also has very
low quantities of carbohydrates - hence a wise addition to weight loss diets. The leafy

vegetable, however, offers further benefits for the treatment of ailments and health

hazards (Market Wise, 2012).

Insect pests can be a major problem in cabbage production. Damage to transplants and

older plants can result from cutworms, imported cabbage worm, cabbage looper, diamondback

moth larvae, and cross-striped cabbage worm. Marketability is reduced when insects feed on

heads or wrapper leaves. Early detection is critical for controlling these pests (Kaiser and Ernst,

2011).

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Lettuce is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf

vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it

is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be

grilled. One variety, the celtuce (asparagus lettuce) (t: 萵 苣 ; s: 莴 苣 ; woju), is grown for its

stems, which are eaten either raw or cooked. In addition to its main use as a leafy green, it has

also gathered religious and medicinal significance over centuries of human consumption. Europe

and North America originally dominated the market for lettuce, but by the late 20th century the

consumption of lettuce had spread throughout the world. World production of lettuce

and chicory for 2017 was 27 million tonnes, 56% of which came from China.

Lettuce was originally farmed by the ancient Egyptians, who transformed it from a plant whose

seeds were used to create oil into an important food crop raised for its succulent leaves and oil-
rich seeds. Lettuce spread to the Greeks and Romans; the latter gave it the name lactuca, from

which the English lettuce is derived. By 50 AD, many types were described, and lettuce appeared

often in medieval writings, including several herbals. The 16th through 18th centuries saw the

development of many varieties in Europe, and by the mid-18th century cultivars were described

that can still be found in gardens.